Significant falloff derails campaigns

NFL - Bucs - The Beat

November 16, 2006|By Chris Harry, Sentinel Staff Writer

It's a rematch of one of the most thrilling games of the 2005 regular season. It's a rematch of a wild-card January playoff game that saw a record set for the fewest yards ever gained by a winning team in the postseason and featured a controversial reversal of the tying touchdown in the final minutes.

It's a rematch of two of this year's most disappointing teams.

"One year doesn't buy you the next,'' Washington Coach Joe Gibbs said. "I don't think any of us would have guessed this is where we would be, but I'm also a realist.''

The reality for both the Redskins (3-6) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-7) is that they're each other's next opponent in a season that already has the two sides looking to the offseason.

"That's the way it goes,'' Bucs Coach Jon Gruden said. "You take responsibility for it, and you do the best you can to turn it around as soon as you can.''

Heading into the game, the Redskins are ranked 30th in total defense (including 31st against the pass) a season after finishing ninth overall. The Bucs, losers of three straight, are 30th in total offense and 24th in total defense.

Tampa Bay returned 21 of 22 starters from an 11-5 team that won the NFC South. Washington spent millions in free agency to amp up a team that won its final five games to finish 10-6. Big things were expected of both in 2006.

"The record is what it is,'' Bucs LB Derrick Brooks said. "I don't make any excuses or long to be in another situation. I'm here and part of this team. We're going to do what we do to get our third win.''

Davis questionable

OT Anthony Davis sprained an ankle during practice Wednesday. Davis, who has started every game this season at left tackle, was replaced by Cornell Green and listed as questionable.